New York, N.Y. (April 6, 2016) — Starting today, students, faculty and staff at Columbia University can zig and zag their way on, off and around campus on brand new cruiser bikes as part of Columbia’s new bike-share program. Zagster, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of campus bike-share systems, has made 14 cruiser bikes at three locations available by the hour or the day. After an initial $20 annual pass, rides are free for the first hour, and then $3 per hour after that.
Columbia recognizes the many benefits of bicycle travel and is continuing its efforts toward growing a bike culture on campus. Bringing bike share to all Columbia members is part of the University’s commitment to a healthy and sustainable Columbia. Creating a more bike-friendly campus reduces traffic and parking congestion, improves the health of the University community, and offers an easy, alternative travel mode to and around Columbia.

“The success of the city-wide bike-sharing program has shown there’s strong demand from New Yorkers for bike riding,” said Timothy Ericson, Zagster co-founder and CEO. “Our unique business model enables the University to make bike sharing available on its campus, giving students, faculty and staff access to the same benefits of bike sharing enjoyed by tens of thousands of other New Yorkers.”

Riding Columbia’s bike share is easy. Bikes can be found via the free Zagster Mobile App — available for iPhone and Android — or online at zagster.com/columbia. Each bike has a unique number which riders enter into the app to obtain a single-use code to open the lockbox on the back of the bike. (Alternatively, riders can obtain unlock codes via text message.) A key in the lockbox allows the bike to be locked and unlocked throughout a ride. After the rider returns the bike to a designated Zagster bike station, the rental ends and the bike is available for the next person to enjoy.

The Columbia bike share features the Zagster 8, an award-winning bike known for its practical design, comfortable ride and easy handling. The bike includes a spacious basket that’s perfect for carrying groceries, takeout or personal belongings. And because rider safety is a priority, every bike includes automatic lights, a bell and full reflectors. An integrated bike lock enables riders to park and lock their bikes wherever they want during a trip, instead of being required to re-dock at a station, giving them greater flexibility to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

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About Zagster
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Zagster is the largest and fastest-growing bike share provider in the United States. Zagster works directly with over 130 communities across North America to make scalable bike-sharing programs available in areas where traditional bike share providers can't reach. The company’s goal: To make the bike the most loved form of transportation. More information about Zagster and its programs can be found at www.zagster.com.

Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and Zagster, the leader in campus bike sharing, today announced their partnership to launch Zipbike, the first national, sponsored bike-share program for universities. Zipbike aims to redefine campus mobility by accelerating access to, and adoption of, bike sharing at colleges and universities across the country.